Miley Cyrus Is Kids' Choice Front-Runner

March 29, 2008 8 AM PDT

It was shaping up as the best of both worlds for pop culture phenomenon Miley Cyrus, who came into Saturday night's 21st annual Kids Choice Awards with nominations for favorite singer and favorite actress.

Cyrus, whose television series "Hannah Montana" was also nominated for favorite show, was scheduled to perform at the awards program, singing "Girl's Night Out" from her hit album "Hannah Montana 2: Meet Miley Cyrus."

Also scheduled to take the stage was the Naked Brothers Band.

"I'm curious to see Miley Cyrus perform. She's such a phenomenon and I've never seen her live so I'd kind of like to see what all the hype is about," said Quddus Philippe, a former host of MTV's "Total Request Live," who was among the celebrities scheduled to walk the show's orange carpet.

Cyrus won last year's favorite TV star award but Beyonce captured the favorite singer trophy. The two were nominated again this year, along with Fergie and Alicia Keys.

Competing against Cyrus for the favorite TV actress award were Emma Roberts of "Unfabulous," Jamie Lynn Spears of "Zoey 101" and Raven-Symone of "That's So Raven."

The 90-minute show was to be broadcast from UCLA's Pauley Pavilion before an audience of 10,000 mostly teen and preteen fans.

The program, which puts as much emphasis on a rollicking good time as handing out awards, was to be hosted this year by Jack Black. At some point Black and other celebrities were expected to be doused in Nickelodeon's trademark green slime and there was likely to be an acrobatic stunt performed involving slime, although the show's producers were keeping quiet on what was planned. In some years celebrities also take part in burping contests.

Although the show is as much about fun as awards, it has drawn a huge celebrity turnout in recent years. Among those scheduled to participate were Harrison Ford, Hayden Panettiere, Amy Poehler, Jennifer Love Hewitt and Ryan Seacrest. The Jonas Brothers Band, in Florida to promote a forthcoming album and tour, said Friday they were flying home for the event.

"We're nominated for an award," Nick Jonas said proudly. It was for favorite music group.

The film "Shrek The Third" had a leading four nominations, including one for favorite animated movie. The other three were for favorite voice from an animated movie and were for Mike Meyers as Shrek, Cameron Diaz as his wife, Fiona, and Eddie Murphy as Shrek's loyal sidekick, Donkey. The fourth went to Jerry Seinfeld for "Bee Movie."

Murphy was also nominated in the favorite male movie star category for "Norbit."

Drake Bell was looking to win his third straight favorite male TV star award. He was up against his "Drake & Josh" co-star Josh Peck, as well as Dylan and Cole Sprouse, the identical twin stars of "The Suite Life of Zack and Cody."

Awards are voted on by people who cast their ballots at Nickelodeon's Web site, with voting continuing until the day of the show. Early in the week Nickelodeon reported nearly 60 million ballots had been cast, breaking last year's record of 40 million.